14:10 Newmarket

Saturday 22 June 2019

All13:4014:1014:4515:2016:0016:4017:1517:50

Heath Court Hotel bestwestern.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 14:17 | Winning time: 3m 3.72s

(3)

Victoria Drummond¹⁸⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Harry Bentley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 87

3/1

Two-time winner from five starts on the AW during the winter who finished third at Chelmsford (1m6f, standard) when last seen. Dropped in class for this and will relish the trip, but has a lengthy absence to overcome. Can't be ruled out.

Form: 511333-

(9)

Orin Swift¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 86| D

3/1

Made winning reappearance over this trip at Nottingham in April before being narrowly touched off at Ascot (2m, soft) and Goodwood (2m, good to soft) last time. Up 1lb for that effort but lowered in grade for this race and is a major player.

Form: 522-122

(1)

Darksideoftarnside^p¹⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: K Shoemark| T: Ian Williams| OR: 83| BF

14/1

Winner at Ayr (1m5f, heavy) last September and returns to last winning mark, but disappointed in six starts on the flat and over jumps since that victory. First run since December and looks to be stable's second choice. Others preferred.

Form: 671646-

(2)

Great Hall¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: P Cosgrave| T: M Quinn| OR: 83| D

20/1

Admirable performer over the years, but age looks to be catching up with him and made a poor seasonal reappearance when 13th of 15 over C&D last month. On career-low mark but best watched.

Form: 6366-50

(6)

Battle Of Marathon²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: B Doyle| T: J Ryan| OR: 74

33/1

A useful performer in his prime but has been out of sorts recently. Weakened to finish seventh of nine at Musselburgh (1m6f, good to soft) earlier this month and only has two wins from 41 career starts. Plenty to prove.

Form: 539767

(4)

Vampish²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Phil Dennis| T: P J McBride| OR: 73

5/1

Good second when upped in class and trip at Chelmsford (2m, standard) on her latest start and just failed to last the distance. On a 2lb higher mark and has not won on turf from five starts. Solid place claims.

Form: 052142

(5)

Sunblazer^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 8-9| J: L Morris| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 73| D

40/1

Lost his way form-wise and has not won since landing a Kempton handicap in 2017. Finished last of six at Salisbury (1m6f, good to firm) on first run since wind surgery and needs to rediscover his best form to be competitive. Others preferred.

Form: 0734-76

(8)

Potters Lady Jane²³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-6| J: Hayley Turner| T: L Wadham| OR: 70

8/1

In good form last season but disappointed on seasonal return when last of six at Wetherby (1m6f, good to firm) in May. Has proven stamina and is on a workable mark, but has a bit to prove and likely ground conditions won't be in favour.

Form: 18225-6

(10)

Swordbill^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Kerrin McEvoy| T: Ian Williams| OR: 69

3/1

Struggled for form earlier this season but bounced back to form when winning over this trip at Doncaster (good to firm) earlier this month. Raised 4lb by the handicapper and up in grade for this contest, but has to respected.

Form: 128-001

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 10p in the pound

Non-Runners

(7)

Amourice³⁰

Weight: 9-4| Age: 4

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam J: J F Egan

Forecasts

Victoria Drummond (3/1), Orin Swift (3/1), Swordbill (3/1), Vampish (5/1), Potters Lady Jane (8/1), Amourice (12/1), Darksideoftarnside (14/1), Great Hall (20/1), Battle Of Marathon (33/1), Sunblazer (40/1)

The form of his Nottingham victory hasn't worked out well, but the consistent ORIN SWIFT looks to be the one to beat in what looks to be a winnable race, despite racing 1lb out of the handicap. Vampish looks to have improved on the All-weather and is likely to be the main threat is she can replicate that form on turf, while Swordbill encouraging win last time means he cannot be discredited.